Don Stewart :: Why Should We Expect the God of the Bible to Reveal Himself to Humanity?

Why Should We Expect the God of the Bible to Reveal Himself to Humanity?

Does the God of the Bible Exist? – Question 26

If God has a purpose for His creatures, then how can it be known? Experience has shown that the problem cannot be solved by human reason alone. History has demonstrated that human beings, left to their own devices, come up with a variety of conclusions with respect to God’s existence and purpose. Some people do not have the time to make such a study while others do not have the desire or possess the ability to look into these issues. Those who do come up with answers find differing conclusions. Who then should we believe?

A number of important observations need to be made.

1. There Is No Consensus of Belief about God

There is certainly no consensus about the question of God’s existence. The Bible makes it clear that the world, by its own wisdom, cannot know the God of the Bible who is the one true God. Paul wrote the following to the church at Corinth.

For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:19-21 ESV)

The wisdom that belongs to this world system alone does not lead people to believe in the biblical God.

Indeed, Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the fact that unbelieving humanity has a mind that is closed to the truth of God. He said,

With the Lord’s authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. (Ephesians 4:17, 18 NLT)

Because there is no consensus of belief about God’s existence from humanity, we should expect God to reveal Himself, if He does indeed exist.

2. The Idea of God Revealing Himself Is Not Unreasonable

The idea, therefore, that God should reveal Himself to humankind, is not an unreasonable position. Because God does exist, it is not irrational to assume that He would make Himself known. Thus, when one examines the situation it makes sense that God would reveal Himself to the human race.

3. If God Is the Creator, Then It Is Possible That He Would Reveal Himself

This brings us to our next point. It is certainly possible that an all-powerful God could reveal Himself. If God exists as the Creator of the universe, then we should not consider it impossible that the Creator would attempt to communicate with His creation. This being the case, there is nothing that rules out the possibility of God revealing Himself.

4. It Is Probable That God Would Reveal Himself

Furthermore, it is probable that God would reveal Himself. He has made humans as personal beings with the ability to communicate with others. Since God has made humanity this way, why shouldn’t He communicate with His creation?

5. A Revelation from God Should Be Expected

We should expect, therefore, that a divine revelation be given to the human race by the Creator God. Since there is nothing stopping God from revealing Himself, and since He has made humankind with the ability to give and receive communication, a divine revelation is consistent with what we know about God.

6. A Revelation from God Is Necessary

From humankind’s position, it is absolutely necessary that God reveal Himself. We can know many things about God from nature. The fact that He is the Creator, and the fact that His creation is wonderfully made is obvious to all.

Yet nature does not tell us what God wants us to do. We need a divine revelation to know and understand who God is, and what He wants from us. Thus, a supernatural revelation from God to us is not only possible, from humanity’s point of view, it is absolutely essential.

The Character of a Loving God Must Be Considered

There is also the character of God to be considered. Because God is an intelligent Being and He has made us intelligent creatures, we should expect that He would reveal Himself to His creation. Also, because He is a good God, humanity should look to Him for some help with respect to our identity, purpose, and destiny. Therefore, the character of God leads one to expect some type of revelation from Him.

Indeed, it is hard to conceive of a human father concealing himself from his children and never communicating with them. In the same manner, it is impossible to conceive of a good God concealing Himself to those whom He created in His own image.

All of these things should cause us to expect that the living God would make Himself known to His creation. The good news is that He has revealed Himself and we can read about this in His Book, the Bible.

Summary – Question 26
Why Should We Expect God of the Bible to Reveal Himself to Humanity?

On our own, the human race has not come to any consensus about God’s existence or His character. Not everyone believes that He does exist and those who do believe have different conceptions of God. Since God is invisible we cannot see Him, or perceive Him with our senses.

Therefore, He must reveal Himself to us if we are to know anything about Him. Consequently, if God truly exists, then a supernatural communication from Him to humankind is not something unreasonable.

Furthermore, if an all-powerful God exists, it is certainly possible that He could reveal Himself if He so chose to do so. Nothing can stop Him from doing so.

Because God has made humans as personal beings who communicate with one another, it is probable that He would communicate with His creation.

From humankind’s point of view it is absolutely necessary for God to reveal Himself to us. Indeed, we are hopelessly lost without His communication.

Finally, the character of God leads us to believe that He would reveal Himself. An intelligent loving God would not leave His creation in darkness. A loving Father would tell His children all things which are necessary.

Therefore, we have the expectation of some sort of communication from God to us. The human race should be looking for this communication.

The good news is that the Bible says that God has indeed communicated to us. Furthermore, we have a record of that communication in His written Word. Therefore, the expectation of the human race has been met.